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Ann Thorac Surg 1998;65:1802-1804
© 1998 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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Use of an Ultrasonic Scalpel as an Alternative to Electrocautery in Patients With Pacemakers

^a Department of Cardiology, Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
^b Department of Cardiac Surgery, Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Accepted for publication December 15, 1997.

Address reprint requests to Dr Epstein, Department of Cardiology, Children’s Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115-5737

We report the safe and effective use of an ultrasonically activated scalpel as an alternative to unipolar electrocautery during surgical procedures in 4 patients with pacemakers. This scalpel provided adequate hemostasis without the adverse consequences of electromagnetic interference. As the scalpel was able to easily cut through the silicone connector sleeve of one generator, it is not recommended for routine generator replacement because it may damage existing pacing leads. However, its use during nonpacemaker operations in patients with pacemakers should be considered.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Ozeren, O.V. Dogan, C. Duzgun, and E. Yucel Use of an ultrasonic scalpel in the open-heart reoperation of a patient with pacemaker Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., April 1, 2002; 21(4): 761 - 762. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. D. Collard and S. C. Body Anesthetic Implications for Patients With Permanent Pacemakers Seminars in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, September 1, 2000; 4(3): 144 - 151. [Abstract] [PDF]